Guy who paid jury fee upset when prosecutors drop case against him

Ernest Pagels Jr. was all prepared to defend himself against a disorderly conduct citation in Waukesha County in December -- he had paid his $36 jury fee and subpoenaed three witnesses.

But then the prosecutor moved to dismiss the case, and Circuit Judge Neal Nettesheim did -- over Pagels' objection.

Pagels -- still acting pro se, as will be evident in a moment -- appealed. He wanted the trial, or he wanted a refund for the jury and subpoena costs.

As Court of Appeals Judge P.J. Lundsten wrote Thursday, "Pagels fails to develop or cite to relevant support for his argument that the circuit court should have denied the State’s motion to dismiss," (other than an 1833 case about pardons).

"Pagels’ contention that he is due reimbursement for jury tender or subpoena fees is similarly without merit," Lundsten found, noting he failed to raise the issue before Nettesheim, and cited no law supporting his claim for reimbursement.

Pagels, 49, apparently wasn't feeling as litigious this year. Court records show he got another disorderly conduct ticket in June, failed to appear, got hit with a default judgment and $295.

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